Ink jet recording method

Abstract

An ink jet recording method comprises a recording head for discharging ink in response to a signal to be applied thereto to perform the recording; and drive unit for driving said recording head at each of a plurality of drive frequency, wherein at least one drive frequency is above a stable discharge speed region and the discharge speed of ink at which ink is discharged in the drive frequency being equal to the discharge speed at which ink is discharged in the drive frequency of the stable discharge region.

We claim: 
     
       1. A recording method comprising the steps of: scanning an on-demand type ink jet recording head adjacent a recording medium;   selecting at least one select frequency of electrical signals to be applied to a discharge element of the recording head while the recording head is scanning, the at least one select frequency being selected from a second frequency range of first and second frequency ranges, the second frequency range being greater than the first frequency range, wherein the discharge speed of ink discharged in response to electrical signals at all frequencies in the first frequency range is substantially constant, and discharge speeds of ink discharged in response to electrical signals at frequencies in the second frequency range vary as a function of frequency of the electrical signal, and the at least one select frequency is selected from the second frequency range such that the discharge speed of ink discharge in response to electrical signals at the select frequency is substantially equal to the speed of ink discharged in response to electrical signals at all frequencies in the first frequency range;   applying the electrical signals to the discharge element of the recording head, the frequency of the electrical signals being within the first frequency range or being equal to the at least one select frequency from the second frequency range; and   discharging ink at a substantially constant discharge speed onto the recording medium in response to the applied electrical signals.   
     
     
       2. A recording method according to claim 1, wherein the discharge velocity varies within ± 5% for all frequencies in the first frequency range and for the second select frequencies of the second frequency range. 
     
     
       3. A recording method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of capping the recording head at a location spaced from a recording area where the recording head records on the recording medium.